Haren Das (1921-1993)
Né à Dinajpur Bengladesh.
Diplômé du College of Arts and Crafts, Calcutta.(1944)
Haren Das est considéré comme l’un des meilleurs graveurs indiens de la période pré et post Indépendance. Il a posé les fondations de l’enseignement de l’estampe et de l’art graphique en Inde devenu l’un des moyens majeurs d’expression à travers tout le sous-continent.
Les bois gravés du West Bengal, par leur force graphique tout en contraste et leur inspiration issue des mythologies quotidiennes, tout comme la Biennale de l’estampe de Bhopal, internationalement reconnue, témoignent de cette caractéristique identitaire. L’œuvre de Jitish Kallat, l’un des artistes contemporains Indiens les plus en vue sur la scène internationale, semble directement s’inspirer formellement des rythmes graphiques de la gravure sur bois et de la linogravure.
Enseignant dévoué durant la période la plus créatrice de sa vie, Haren Das a pratiqué la gravure sur bois, la lithographie, la pointe sèche, la linogravure, l’eau-forte et l’aquatinte.
Son sujet de prédilection fut celui des villageois au travail dans le Bengale rural. Scènes pastorales, fermiers labourant les champs, enfants jouant… tous les protagonistes viennent des échelons les plus bas. L’art de Haren Das est clairement un hommage à leur existence simple et silencieuse.
Haren Das (1921-1993), Water Lily, 1990, Linocut on paper, 7x13,75 in (17,8 x 34,9 cm)
Haren Das (1921-1993), Untitled, Woodcut print on paper, 12,75x9,5 in (32,38x24,13 cm)
Born in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
Degree from the College of Arts and Crafts, Calcutta (1944)
Haren Das is considered one of the best Indian printmakers from the pre- and post-Independence period. He laid the foundations for teaching in engraving and the graphic arts in India, which have become one of the most important means of expression throughout the sub-continent.
Woodcuts from West Bengal, with their strong graphic design based on contrasts inspired by mythology of everyday life, as well as the internationally recognized Print Biennale of Bhopal, bear witness to this strongly Indian characteristic. The work of Jitish Kallat, one of the contemporary artist most in view in the international art scene, seems to have been directly inspired by the graphic rhythms of woodcuts and linocuts.
A devoted teacher during the most creative period of his life, Haren Das practiced woodcuts, lithography, metal point, linocuts, etching, and aquatint. His favorite subject was villagers at work in rural Bengal. Pastoral scenes, peasants ploughing their fields, children playing… all his protagonists are from the lowest segments of society. The art of Haren Das is clearly a homage to their simple, silent existence.
Littérature
‘Haren Das : Printmaker Par Excellence’ Sandip Sarkar, Mai 2007
Expositions
Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta, 1950
Retrospective Heritage Gallery, New Delhi, 1983
Retrospective The Alternative Art Gallery, Calcutta, 1998
Retrospective Right Lines Art Gallery, Bangalore, 1999.
International Graphics Art, Leipzig, Tokyo, Osaka, Italy, Norway, China, Australia and Switzerland.
‘Manifestations’ Delhi Art Gallery, World Trade Center, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, 2003.
‘Manifestations II’ Delhi Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai and Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, 2004.
Collection
Art Heritage, New Delhi. National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi.
Recompenses
1949,50,54 Gold Medal, Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta.
1949,55 Gold Medal, Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad. 1950,51,58 Gold Medal, Shilpa Kala Parishad, Patna.
1958 Gold Medal, Society of Painters, Madras.
1986-87 Akademi Award, given by West Bengal State Akademi of Art, Music and Dance, Calcutta.
Received Honour from Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta. 1989 Received `Abanindra Puraskar`, Govt. of West Bengal.
Haren Das
